Paul's Time
in Philippi
Roman Inscriptions
Lydia's Baptism
Roman Forum
Prison
Baptistery
Via Ignatia
  Paul's Letters
to Philippi
Battlefield
  Other Sites
in Philippi
Church Mosaics

The content on this website is maintained by Robert Myallis, pastor at Zion's Lutheran Church, of Jonestown, PA. 

The photos were taken by Emily Myallis, a diaconal minister in the ELCA who also serves at Zion's Lutheran.

This website and travel to Greece was made possible by a grant from the Fund for Theological Education, which provides grants to assist the education and formation of Christian  leaders from numerous denominations.

Bible quotes are taken from the New Revised Standard Version, unless cites otherwise.

The above photo of Greece comes from NASA; The icon of Saint Paul comes from George Mitrevski's website. 

 

 

Philippi

Philippi was a large city, reestablished as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar himself. (The picture is of a narthex to an early church built here). The inhabitants of the city acquired the rights of Roman citizens. The city boasted an immense population of Roman colonists and veteran soldiers. The population and economy were strong, attracting people from all over the Greco-Roman world. The city maintained a strongly Roman feel. Evidence of this comes not only from secular sources but even the brief visit by Paul there in the Book of Acts. Indeed, of all the Greek cities cited on this website, Philippi is the only site to have a temple to a Roman god (Silvanus; unfortunately, the temple is part of the site fenced off, hence no picture)

Philippi in Paul's Ministry:

Paul's visit to Philippi is recorded in Acts 16. One can basically follow Paul's time in Philippi through the remains of the city:
1) Introduction to Phillipi's Roman heritage
2) Place of Lydia's baptism
3) Agora where Paul was put on trial
4) Prison
5) Baptistry
6) Via Ignatia where Paul left town

Paul will also write at least one letter to the congregation at Philippi.  In addition to articulating his theology on death and resurrection, Paul also comments on how our life in Christ models Christ's life of ultimate sacrifice (the most helpful item to explain this however is not in Philippi, however; see Thessalonian Slave Relief).  Paul also praises the Philippians' generosity; they were probably Paul's biggest financial supporters.

sources:
Hadjifoti, Litsa. Saint Paul His Life and Work. Koropi, Greece: Micael Toubis Publication, 2004.
Meeks, Wayne. The Urban Environment of Pauline Christianity. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1983.